Shabbat Word
24/08/2019
Shabbat Shalom!
Psalm 137:1-9
137:1) By the rivers of Bavel, there we sat down.
Yes, we wept when we remebered Tziyon.
137:2) On the willows in the midst of it,
We hung up our harps.
137:3) For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs.
Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy:
“Sing us one of the songs of Tziyon!”
137:4) How can we sing Yahuah‘s song in a foreign land?
137:5) If I forget you, Yerushalayim,
Let my right hand forget its skill.
137:6) Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you;
If I do not prefer Yerushalayim above my chief joy.
137:7) Remember, Yahuah, against the children of Edom,
The day of Yerushalayim;
Who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!”
137:8) Daughter of Bavel, doomed to destruction,
He will be happy who rewards you,
As you have served us.
137:9) Happy shall he be,
Who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.
A Word
To run is the couch of the coward, to stand fast, of the brave man.
Throughout history, there are numerous occasions were one relative small army has had to defend against overwhelming odds. One such famous stand was at the Battle of Thermoplyae in 480 BCE where a small army of Greek-city states stood against the massive Persian hoard. History makes a lot of these brave men but cowards are rarely remembered.
“Finally, be strong in the Master, and in the strength of His might. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on the whole armour of Yahuah, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand fast.” (Eph. 6:11-13). The letter from Rav Sha`ul to the Assembly at Ephesus was written in Rome when Sha`ul was in prison awaiting trial. Sha`ul dictated the letter and his scribe wrote it down. It is necessary to view this passage in light of the Roman soldier chained to Sh`aul. Rome’s expansion was due to the effectiveness of the army. This came about by the constant discipline, training and superior armour and tactics. In a battle the Roman soldiers marched forward but braced themselves when confronted by a mass attack. This preparation would be foremost in the legionnaire’s mind when order to stand. This command was to stand firm and resist all attackers. When all chaos reigned around the soldier, he would fall back upon all this discipline and experience to withstand the assault. He would not falter as this would be to let down his comrades, his centurion and ultimately his emperor.
Beloved, when it is our turn to face the onslaught of the enemy, are you fully prepared? What have you to fall back upon?
This is one of the main reasons that studying Scripture is so important. All those hours of reading, listening and discussing page after page will pay good dividends. If you could ask the soldier, were all those days on the training fields worthwhile, he would assuredly say yes.
However, there is still a more sure foundation. “Yahuah lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the `Elohiym of my salvation be exalted.” (Psa. 18:46). Knowing Messiah Yahusha as Master and Saviour; that as the Son of Yahuah, He took upon Himself our punishment for our sins is unassailable. This is a foundation that all the hordes of hell cannot prevail against. Like the man who built his house upon a rock, all the storms of life could not shake it (Luke 6:48).
If you have not yet accepted Yahuah’s offer of salvation through His Son, what is your foundations like? Are you able to stand fast when life’s battles are threatening to overwhelm you? It takes a brave person to honestly look at him or herself and know that their house is built on sand; no depth or security of foundation. When (not if) you face life’s battles, who would you most like to be? The professional Roman soldier who stands firm for his or her King (Yahuah) or the conscript who turns and runs at the first sign of trouble?
Halleluyah
Father, we thank you for the power of your Word and that Word was made flesh in Messiah Yahusha so that in believing in His Life, Death and Resurrection we may have eternal life with you.
If you want to accept Father’s offer of salvation through Messiah Yeshuah, you need to ask Him in prayer along these lines. Use your own words but they must be genuine as Father knows our very hearts and nothing is hidden from Him.
“Father, I am a sinner who needs forgiveness through your Son, Messiah Yahusha. Please forgive me of all my past sins as I accept that, Messiah Yahusha my Saviour, has taken upon Himself my punishment. By your Spirit, help me to live a life worthy of His sacrifice. Thank you, Father, for making this way back to you.”
Ameyn
Remember, the Judge looks into your heart, mind and future.
In other words, when you say a Believer’s prayer you had better mean it.
If you have honestly said such a prayer as this, and truly renounced the sin in your life and accepted Father’s salvation through Messiah Yahusha, then please drop us an e-mail at FGA to let us know. This not only builds up our faith, it offers an opportunity to prayfully support you. Even if you have Believing friends or family, we at FGA would be privileged to pray for you. Please contact us at ezra710@firstgenerationassembly.com. Having believed and prayed, now please find a local faith-based church to attend. Drop FGA an e-mail so that we can rejoice with you and pray and support you over the coming weeks.
If you have sincerely called out to Father for forgiveness, then eternal life is assured. No more question marks on your eternal life, only a full stop. Salvation does not take away the day-to-day questions of life, nor is it a short-cut away from trials or tribulations. Nevertheless, knowing your eternal life is secure, any temporary trial can be overcome by looking at the completed work of Messiah Yahusha.
All blessings to you.
“Through wisdom a house is built;
By understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all rare and beautiful treasure.
A wise man has great power;
And a knowledgeable man increases strength;
For by wise guidance you wage your war;
And victory is in many advisors.
Wisdom is too high for a fool:
He does not open his mouth in the gate.” (Prov. 24:3-7).
Breaking Matzah
Our Saviour welcomes all His Family to join in this memorial. If you have accepted Messiah Yahusha as your Master and Saviour please take the next few moments to seek Father and to ensure that all is right between Him and you and between you and your Brothers and Sisters. If not, please put this right before continuing.
If you have not yet accepted Him into your life, then we encourage you to seek Him while it is still possible, as time is running out. When He returns or if you pass away then it will be too late. Please do not partake of the matzah and wine as in doing so, it gives thanks for the broken body (matzah) and shed blood (wine) for and a witness of salvation.
On the night of the Master’s betrayal, He took the matzah, blessed it and broke it saying ‘This is my Body broken for you; take and eat it as a memorial to Me.’
Bless the matzah saying: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the Universe, who brings forth matzah from the earth.
Break and eat the matzah (sharing it if within a group setting):
After the meal He took the Cup, blessed it saying ‘This is my Blood poured out for you for the remission of sins; take and drink it as a memorial to me.’
Bless the wine saying: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
Drink the wine (sharing it if within a group setting):
Thanksgiving prayer: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the universe, who gives us, in Yahusha, all that we will ever need. In your lovingkindness and mercy, you rebuild broken lives. You bless us, in Yeshuah, with a perfect blessing. Ameyn.
Please note the up-and-coming special days.
Rosh Chodesh 6th. Moon 30/08/2019.
Father willing, we will meet again next Shabbat.
“Y’varekh’kha Yahuah v’yishmerekha,
Ya’er Yahuah panav eleikha vichunekka,
Yissa Yahuah panav eleikha v’yasem l’kha shalom.”
(May Yahuah bless you and keep you)
(May Yahuah make His face to shine upon you and show you His favour)
(May Yahuah lift up His face toward you and give you peace.)
First Generation Assembly 